Joan Jett, Nirvana At Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame

April 9, 2014

Joan Jett may be performing with Nirvana tomorrow at the 2014 Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Rumors of Jett’s possible collaboration with the famed grunge rockers started yesterday when former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl posted a photo of Jett’s guitar on Instagram. Michael Stipe is listed as Nirvana’s official inductee, however the photo, that includes instruments of former Nirvana members Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear, is a strong indicator that Stipe will not be taking deceased front man Kurt Cobain’s spot for the Nirvana performance.

This would not be the first collaboration between Nirvana members and Jett. Dave Grohl co-wrote the song “Any Weather” on Jett’s 2013 album Unvarnished, and Jett joined Grohl’s band The Foo Fighters on The Late Show With David Letterman in 2011 to perform her classic hit “Bad Reputation.”

Aside from her obvious affinity for Grohl, Jett has professed respect for both Nirvana and Cobain. “I used to listen to them all the time…day and night“ said Jett. “…He[Cobain] was a great guitar player and a great singer.”

While there will likely be some form of fan backlash, as there is whenever someone attempts to fill Cobain’s shoes, the choice to have Jett perform is a fitting one. Jett demanded a place for women in rock music, a genre previously reserved for men. This must have been highly respected by Cobain, who was well known for his feminist leanings.

Along with Nirvana, this year’s inductees include Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall and John Oates, KISS, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, the E Street Band, Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham. The Nirvana tribute performance will take place Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and will be aired May 31st on HBO.